ASALẸ ASA ATI ISE: AIKULOLA TO CELEBRATE YORUBA CULTURE, TRADITION AND HERITAGE IN ISESE CONCERT
ASALẸ ASA ATI ISE: AIKULOLA TO CELEBRATE YORUBA CULTURE, TRADITION AND HERITAGE IN ISESE CONCERT
By: Temitope OYEKAN
Culture enthusiast, dancer, actress and traditional arts practitioner, Yetunde Rashidat SANU, popularly known as Aikulola, is set to celebrate Yoruba culture, tradition and heritage at the forthcoming Asalẹ Asa ati Ise (Isese Concert) scheduled to hold on Sunday, 9th August, 2026, at Avalon Hotel, Iperu Remo, Ogun State.
The event, which starts by 8pm is designed as an evening of cultural expression, worship, praise and celebration, will provide an avenue for the promotion and preservation of Yoruba cultural values through music, dance, drama, oral tradition and other forms of indigenous artistic expression.
Aikulola’s passion for culture and the traditional arts dates back to her primary school days when she developed an interest in oríkì, Yoruba praise poetry. She was among pupils who performed oríkì during the graduation ceremony of senior students, an experience which further strengthened her interest in Yoruba culture. She subsequently began learning Ifá from her father and continued to develop her knowledge and skills in indigenous cultural practices.
Her involvement in cultural activities became more pronounced during her secondary school years at Ajagbe High School, where she belonged to the school’s cultural group and eventually served as Cultural Prefect. She also founded her own cultural troupe, Akọ́mọ́lẹ̀de, which participated in competitions and emerged victorious at a cultural competition in Oke Itasin, Ile-Ife, in 2011.
Determined to broaden her knowledge of the performing arts, Aikulola joined Igbayilola Production, popularly known as Idowu, where she received training in dancing and acting. She also taught children in her neighbourhood how to dance and recite ewì, often leading them during cultural presentations.
Her quest for greater professional development subsequently took her to the Cultural Centre, Abeokuta, and Eagle Eye Dance Company in 2012, where she further honed her skills in cultural performance and dance, completing her training in 2015.
In 2021, Aikulola joined Adimula Odua Film Production in Iperu Remo and obtained her Actress Certificate in 2022, further consolidating her involvement in the performing arts.
The Asalẹ Asa ati Ise is expected to attract an array of distinguished personalities, including the Theatre Arts And Movie Practitioners Association of Nigeria (TAMPAN) Governor, Ogun State, leading figures and practitioners in the Theatre and Creative Arts Industry, Royal Fathers, cultural stakeholders and other prominent guests and VIPs.
The gathering is expected to provide a significant platform for cultural interaction, networking and the celebration of the rich artistic heritage of the Yoruba people, while also highlighting the talents and contributions of practitioners in Nigeria’s creative and performing arts sector.
Through Asalẹ Asa ati Ise (Isese Concert), Aikulola seeks to use her artistic experience and passion to create a platform that celebrates Yoruba identity while encouraging younger generations to appreciate, learn and preserve the rich cultural heritage of the Yoruba people.
The event promises an engaging blend of cultural performances, music, dance, worship, praise and celebration.
Asalẹ Asa ati Ise, celebrating our culture, honouring our heritage and inspiring the next generation.
